Heavenly Paradise@AdelineAng.com

The vibrant colour, cool breeze and clear sky. These are some of the many things I like about the fall season. Nonetheless, frosty morning and freezy evening can be rather brutal.

I enjoy taking pictures of fall scenery, which can be so different from year to year. I didn’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. I was especially amazed by the wonderful nature during my very first autumn experience in Canada. The amusement from observing the colour change in the environment was beyond comprehension. I’d pause and enjoy the surroundings, on my way to classes each day.

The colour changes slowly, and leaves fall gradually; the transition of the season displays its unique pattern everyday.

Acadia, is another name for the Canadian Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), as well as Maine in the United States. Among these places, about 86% of the total Acadian population settled in New Brunswick. Acadians are known as the descendants of the 17th century French colonists.

The Acadian Day is celebrated annually on August 15th. It’s a celebration of the Assumption of Mary. The date of celebration was set in 1881 in Memramcook, New Brunswick, at the first National Convention of the Acadians.

In conjunction with this special occasion, there were bouquets of flowers on sale. How were they special? These flowers came in yellow, blue, red, and white; just like the Acadian flag! How nice… The blue roses were especially precious. I’ve been wanting to get some in the past, and my dream came true… when Miles handed me this unique bouquet of flowers as a surprise gift. ^v*

A bouquet of red, white, and blue roses; matching colours of the Acadian flag.

The red rose.

The white rose.

The blue rose.

The “Fireworks Extravaganza” began at 10:40 p.m., presented by Fredericton Civic Pride and sponsored by Remax Realty. It was a good 20 minutes of fireworks, with stunning appearance and creative effects. There were amazing fireworks displays; some of which were presented in surprising and unexpected ways.

The celebration of 142th Canada Day came to an end before midnight.

The Canada Day Parade started at 4 p.m., with the theme “Colour me Canadian – A Celebration of Creativity and Diversity.” It was known to be one of Canada’s only “Green” parades. Various organizations and cultural associations from the community were involved in this event.

Happy Canada Day! Despite the overcast weather for the most part of the day, Canada Day celebration turned out to be a joyful and memorable one. July 1st… I could hardly believe that summer is here!

I’m amused by the identical weather on Canada Day for the third year in a row (at least); overcast during the day, and some rain during or after the parade which usually starts at 4 p.m. I couldn’t help but thinking: Is it coincidental or being planned for? Even though it wasn’t a hot sunny day, I was contented with the cool and dry weather.

Canada Day celebration kicked off  in downtown Fredericton at noon with the “Civic Pride Block Party,” which also known as Canada’s largest Block Party. Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Artillery School presented the “Twenty-one Gun Salute” (deployed from the Carleton Park). The opening ceremony took place at the Officer’s Square downtown, at 2 p.m. The public was invited to participate in the singing of national anthem “O Canada” and cake cutting ceremony.

Canada Day Cake Cutting Ceremony.

The Officer’s Square.

Across from the street, there were food vendors with their food stands set up by the riverfront. Besides that, fun rides for the kids and game stalls can be found there too.

Mini Ferris Wheel for kids.

Hmm…cotton candy? Popcorn?

The game stall.

The riverfront at downtown Fredericton.

Canada Day tattoos!

A little kid on a big truck.

The entire TreeGO activity takes about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the weather, one’s fitness level and personal experience. It is definitely a great outdoor activity and a high adrenaline adventure. It is not for the faint-hearted!

Not only does TreeGO offer challenging aerial adventures, but it also offers the opportunity for exercising self-discipline, developing will power, and building teamwork among the group.

The wood used for platform construction is either cedar or larch, and it is free of chemical. Trees are not harmed, and the nature is preserved to the best of the management’s ability.

Do you get a guide to accompany you? Not really. Participants explore the field in groups, under the supervision of TreeGO staff at a distance from the ground. They are there to offer advice, and also to provide help during an emergency.

Swing on a Tarzan rope to the opposite site where a cargo net is set up. Hang on to the net with your feet and arms, and make your way to the platform.

A long bridge arranged with longitudinal planks.

The wooden swings. Again?!

Hmm…only logs on the bridge?

Rectangular and round planks. These are all you’ll get for walking in the air.

Here is the beginning of the black course, which also known to be the one with highest level of difficulty.

These swings can be extremely wobbly if you’re not well-balanced and paying full attention.

There are a few zip-line adventures throughout the activity, one of which is a reverse zip-line, with your back facing the landing point. Those I enjoyed the most though, are the two zip-lines that run across the water.

How does a zip-line work? First of all, attach the pulley onto a cable that stretches across trees or water. It is crucial to make sure that it is securely suspended on the cable. Next, attach a carabiner to the pulley. Participants are asked to grab onto the carabiner with both hands during the zip-line activity. And…off you go!

Zip-line across the water. I felt as if I was flying in the air!

Crossing the suspended bridge on uniform planks.

These wobbly logs are intimidating. The gap between them isn’t helping any. It’s especially challenging to cross from one to the other.

Use the monkey bars and walk across a steel cable.

Hanging logs in between a steel cable. An exciting attempt to walk from one tree to the other.

How was the TreeGO experience after all? Some said it was nerve-wracking and some said it was intimidating (mostly due to the height). I’d say that it was a challenging and exciting outdoor activity. Additionally, TreeGO gave us a great workout on a Saturday morning, by keeping our hearts pumping and leg & arm muscles stretching.

Reservations are required. Be sure to call in advance to check for availability. TreeGO, an exciting activity for family and friends. Hope you enjoy it! I’m looking forward to my next visit.

A scenic view of sailing boats on the water.

It turned out to be a gorgeous day when we were there. The rain from the day before helped to keep the air cool and the ground moist. The sun was shining and it felt nice to breathe in the fresh air.

“Life is good; exploring adventures with loved one and friends is great.” I thought to myself as I made my way out from TreeGO.

Looking for some fun activities near the Fredericton area? Longing to get your adrenaline pumping? Try TreeGO!

Now, you may ask: “What is TreeGO?”

“Fun, freedom and personal reward are what TreeGO is all about. These serial adventure courses offer a diverse and exciting experience within the comfort of knowing you’re attached to continuous safety cables. No matter what your age or fitness level, our courses are designed for your pleasure in a unique outdoor environment.”

~ TreeGO Mactaquac

The TreeGO in Mactaquac is opened since summer of 2008. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from downtown Fredericton. Besides the winter months, they are open throughout the year (usually May till October), rain or shine. TreeGO has been established for over a decade in Europe. Currently, there are a few TreeGO sites across North America. In Canada, there is one in Nanaimo, British Columbia, nine in Quebec, and two in New Brunswick (Moncton and Mactaquac). On top of that, there is one site situated in the New York State.

The starting point of TreeGO adventure.

TreeGO is a progressively challenging course. There are four levels of difficulty, and each of them bears a colour code: green, blue, red, and black, respectively.

A briefing session is conducted by a TreeGO staff. Participants have the opportunity to get some practice before the adventure begins.

Get a feel of the swinging motion with two carabiners attached to the safety cable.

Always, always… have the red coded carabiners (two of them) attached to the safety cable, throughout the course of activity.

A safety harness is provided. Each participant carries a pulley and three carabiners. What are they for? Two of the carabiners (red coded) are used to hook onto the safety cables, whereas a pair of pulley and carabiner (yellow coded) comes into play when the participant is going through a zip-line. Safety cables can be seen everywhere in the TreeGO field, be it on the tree trunks for climbing up and down the trees, across the tree trunks while adventuring from one tree to the other on suspended logs, or on a Tarzan rope for swinging from one end to the other.

Use the red coded carabiners at all times when climbing.

Keep your body balance while walking on the wooden planks arranged across two trees.

The wooden swings can be tricky, especially crossing from one to the other.

A log bridge across the trees!

It’s getting more challenging… The wooden planks are far apart from each other! I had to stretch my legs to reach the planks, and be sure not to miss any…

The zig-zag log bridge. Fun!

Taking a view of the ground from the bridge. I was walking in the air!

Walking on a steel cable. A circus stunt?

The group of TreeGO adventurers: (From left) Marie & Paul, John, Miles & Adeline (myself).

There is always something new at Tim Hortons, almost to a point where I can’t keep up with it. On top of my first and second post entries about Tim Hortons, here is some new updates about the Canadian all-time favourite coffee and doughnut chain.

What’s new on the doughnut shelf?

Key Lime Doughnut!

The “Roll Up The Rim To Win” contest is coming to an end. In the city of Fredericton, there is no more Tim Hortons’ rims to be rolled up! *Sigh*Each chain restaurant is given a limited number of “Roll Up” cups. The contest goes on until all the cups are gone.

What have I gotten so far? One free coffee, three free doughnuts, and lots of “Please Play Again” messages.

Three winners’ cups and one loser’s cup.

Some fun facts about the contest? Customers of Tim Hortons have been RRRolling up the Rim for 23 years. Over 88% of the major prizes were redeemed in 2008. On average, each Canadian adult would have rolled up 10 cups at the end of the contest each year. It’s a contest that everyone would enjoy! It’s more than just sipping on a cup of hot beverage; rolling up the cup as you take the very last sip of drink is a lot of fun!

The snow has pretty much disappeared from sight. The rain has been paying us frequent visits; showering the ground generously to allow plant growth. The grass is green, the sky is blue, and the water is clear. Spring is here! Or rather, summer is near! The weather was scorching hot at 30°C yesterday!

I had the opportunity to walk around the city for some photo shooting for the past two weeks or so. It’s great for not having to worry about the cold chilly winter that freezes my hands when exposed to the air…

 Spanning across Saint John River, the 0.6 km Walking Bridge (old train bridge) connects the North and South sides of Fredericton.

 The Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Fredericton.

A budding plant.

Fallen pine cones.

What are the consequences of the arrival of spring? Flooding is one of them!! I’m not trying to be pessimistic, but it’s true that it happens from year to year. The flooding last year was quite bad. What about this year? The walking trail is flooded, and half of the park bench is immersed in water. Have a look…  

The rising water level of the river resulted from heavy downpour and melted snow/ice chunks accumulated from the winter.

W. W. Boyce Farmers’ Market has been serving the Fredericton community since 1951. It opens year-round; every Saturday from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hearty breakfast, delicious hot & cold beverages, baked treats, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as local meats and seafood etc. You name it, they have it!

The main entrance of market.

How can you possibly miss the food vendors at the market?

Popcorns bagged in different sizes; “Little Bag”, “Almost a Little Bag”, and “Not So Little Bag.”

A German food stall. Wiener Schnitzel (slice of pork coated with breadcrumbs and fried) served with sauwerkraut and onions, on a bun. Besides, the menu includes chicken burger and Oktoberfest sausage.

A busy crowd in the morning.

Craving for some Greek food? Check out Pano’s!

Chicken souvlaki, beef donair, and chicken donair.

Greek Souvlaki, served with pieces of meat and vegetables on a grilled skewer. Donair, a variation of Döner kebab; thin slices of beef or chicken served on rolled pita bread with donair sauce, diced tomatoes and onions.

The famous samosa!

Samosa is a famous South Asian snack. It is a triangular pastry stuffed with minced meat (chicken, beef, turkey, lamb etc.) and spices. Vegetarian samosa is available too!

Samosa with dipping sauce.

The hot beef samosa. Yummy!

Shopping for a pair of warm and nice gloves for winter? After a preview of what to wear for winter as far as clothing is concerned, here are some general guidelines for choosing a suitable pair of winter gloves.

Leather gloves: These are cool! They look great and match well with almost any clothing. Having said that, keep in mind that those with 100% cashmere lining are not very warm gloves. Unless there’s extra lining (i.e. fur, wool etc.) to go with the genuine leather for extra warmth, it’s not recommended to wear them below -10 °C.

Ski gloves: These are warm gloves and perfect for outdoor activities, e.g. skiing, building snowman etc. The water resistant nature and 100% polyester lining of these gloves keep hands warm at all times! The Velcro straps around the wrists help to lock in the position of gloves, as well as to avoid the exposure to snow and cold wind.

Is there any disadvantage? Sweaty palms can lead to freezing cold hands under low temperatures. This has happened to me before, during ski trips. Any solutions? Choose gloves made with breathable materials whenever possible; otherwise, avoid wearing them for long hours without allowing palms to be in contact with fresh air.

Mittens: Polar fleece mittens that made of 100% polyester are rather common. Acrylic and wool are some other materials widely used in mittens. Mittens are generally nice and warm. Disadvantage? There’s very limited finger joint mobility when wearing mittens. To snap pictures in the cold weather, I’ll have to take them off and use bare hands instead. It won’t take long for hands to turn blue and purple. Ouch! It hurts! The freezing cold hands will then need to be “thawed” under room temperature. :P Picture taking in the winter can be rather challenging!

Gloves: These are the common type of gloves, typically made of polyester, acrylic, and/or wool.

Mitts-gloves hybrid: This is what I’d name them, since I’m not sure if there’s a specific name for them ;) These are my favourite! I got a pair of them last winter and have been wearing them almost every single day during winter ever since. The outer shell and lining of these gloves consist of 100% polyester. What’s so cool about them? The part on finger tips can be popped open! This enables great flexibility for finger joint movements for various activities, e.g. shooting pictures, controlling light switches, locking/unlocking with keys etc. What an awesome invention!

Have you made up your mind what to get yet? The best thing to do, is of course to keep several different pair of gloves. Wear a suitable pair, depending on weather and according to special needs.

It was St. Patrick’s Day yesterday. Go GREEN with a big GRIN!! Wearing a green shirt, putting on St. Paddy’s costume and accessories, and drinking green beer are some of the ways to celebrate this Irish national holiday. It’s widely celebrated in many places around the world; North America, England, Australia, and New Zealand.

This special day was celebrated in local Irish churches during early 17th century. It’s an annual feast day (usually Mar. 17th) to celebrate Saint Patrick (c. AD 385-461), a patron saint in Ireland. St. Patrick is believed to have used shamrock (a three-leaved plant) to explain Holy Trinity to the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day is known as a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics in Ireland. It’s a major celebration for those of Irish decent, with an increasing number of non-Irish people participate in the celebration each year.

Besides some exciting parades held in different cities worldwide, Chicago river (Chicago, Illinois) is dyed green annually for this special occasion. Furthermore, Calgary Tower in Canada replaced its top exterior lights to green compact fluorescent lamps in conjunction with St. Paddy’s Day celebration this year.

Looking for a special treat for St. Paddy’s Day? How about a slice of yummy chocolate cake, coated with incredibly delectable ganache and sprinkled with candied shamrocks? Best of all, it contains a secret ingredient which has a lot to do with Irish! Guess what? Two cups of Guiness stout in this cake! Surprisingly, I didn’t taste the beer at all. A very “chocolatety” cake, loved it!

What do you think of winter, after viewing some unpleasant winter scenes that I’ve posted previously? The “consequences” of a beautiful winter involved some great effort wading through high piles of snow (which is one of the most exciting things to do in winter :P), walking on yucky puddles from the melted snow, gliding on sheen of ice under deceiving layers of snow etc.

These scenarios are weather dependent. Curious to find out how these scenes might look like? Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure ;)

Snow everywhere… Hmm….how am I supposed to get to the bus stop?! Dive in! :D

The rising temperature resulted in melting of snow. A pair of waterproof winter boots would help, when walking through puddles.

This is the tricky one. Ice!! A pair of skates would come in handy!

The fluctuating prices of fuel is something interesting to observe. The fuel prices are different across Canada and they vary every week (at least in this city). New fuel prices take effect on every Thursday in Fredericton. For those who pay close attention to the fuel prices announcement the day before, have the opportunity to fuel up their fuel tanks or wait for a bit, depending on the fluctuation in fuel prices. You’ll be surprised how much can be saved, especially for those who travel a fair bit throughout the week!!

It’s almost like the stock market to me, except it’s with a weekly fluctuation. The change in fuel prices has a lot to do with supply and demand, political issues, and whatnot. The rising of fuel prices leads to cost increases in almost everything; groceries, transportation fare etc. The funny thing is, these prices will almost never go down even if the fuel prices decrease. I supposed that’s the way it is, even in many other places around the world.

How about the fuel prices in Malaysia? The citizens were shocked to learn that price of gasoline increased by 40 %, from RM1.92/litre (CAD 0.69/litre) to RM 2.70/litre (CAD 0.96/litre) and diesel price rose from RM1/litre to RM2.58/litre, after the local government decided to cut down on fuel subsidization, in June 2008. The good news is, reduction of fuel prices was introduced later, partly due to the drop in global oil prices. As of December 2008, gas price stood at RM1.90/litre and diesel price at RM1.80/litre.

One of the biggest questions I had when I first arrived in Canada: why is diesel cheaper than regular gasoline? It’s the opposite in Malaysia, where diesel price is always lower than that of gas. Basic chemistry is telling us that diesel is less refined and cheaper to processed from crude oil; it’ll only make sense that it’s cheaper than regular gas. How come this is not the case in Canada (and some other countries)?

Here is a good explanation for it:

Until several years ago, the average price of diesel fuel was usually lower than the average price of gasoline. In some winters when the demand for distillate heating oil was high, the price of diesel fuel rose above the gasoline price. Since September 2004, the price of diesel fuel has been generally higher than the price of regular gasoline all year round for several reasons. Worldwide demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils has been increasing steadily, with strong demand in China, Europe, and the U.S., putting more pressure on the tight global refining capacity. In the U.S., the transition to low-sulfur diesel fuel has affected diesel fuel production and distribution costs. Also, the Federal excise tax on diesel fuel is 6 cents higher per gallon (24.4 cents per gallon) than the tax on gasoline.

Other articles which you might find interesting to read:
Why is Diesel More Expensive Than Regular Gas?
Why is Diesel Fuel More Expensive Than Gasoline?
Why is Diesel Even More Expensive Than Gas?

Will diesel ever be cheaper than gasoline again? You bet!  Here is what happen in the United States:

Conversely, diesel prices are falling as a result of a milder than usual winter which has left heating oil stocks at higher than normal levels. That means that more crude can be refined into nearly identical diesel fuel. Supplies of diesel will rise quickly, but demand is not likely to follow unless the economy picks up. And no one expects that to happen at least until the second half of the year.

The reversion to higher gasoline/lower diesel prices is not expected to last, mainly due to demand for diesel in Western Europe, where diesel-powered automobiles currently account for 53% of new car sales. Refiners like Marathon Oil Company (NYSE:MRO) and Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) are expanding their diesel capacities to meet the expected global demand.

Once diesel prices drop below gasoline prices, they are expected to stay there for a few months. US railroads and trucking companies, especially, are expected to get some relief from high diesel prices. But that condition is not expected to last beyond the beginning of the 2009-2010 heating season. Strong global demand for diesel will keep supplies of the fuel tight, and refiner margins up. Diesel fuel, not gasoline, is where the money is right now.

The fluctuating gas price observed in Fredericton:

Dec. 13, 2008. 70.9 cents/litre for regular gasoline.

Dec. 18, 2008. 73.9 cents/litre for regular gasoline; 88.4 cents/litre for diesel.

Jan. 3, 2009 (Saint John, NB). 65.9 cents/litre for regular gasoline. A record low in years!

Jan. 10, 2009. 73.9 cents/litre for regular gasoline.

Feb. 28, 2009. 77.5 cents/litre for regular gasoline.

As of today, the price of regular gas is 84.5 cents/litre in Fredericton.

You’re in Canada and have no idea where to go for a quick coffee break/breakfast/lunch/brunch? Try Tim Hortons! This is where I had my first meal in Canada several years ago. The uptown Tim Hortons in Fredericton opens 24/7, the so-called “mamak” for Malaysians here :) I remembered those good old days where we sat and chatted while sipping on hot coffee till wee hours in the midst of everyone’s busy class schedule, in the cold winter nights.

Tim Hortons is Canada’s largest quick-serve coffee and doughnut chain. The first store was opened in Hamilton, Ontario, back in 1964. Currently, there are more than 2,800 store locations across Canada, and more than 400 in the United States.

Why can Tim Hortons be so successful? This has a lot to do with its location, marketing strategy, and unbeatable price (compared to Starbucks, Second Cup etc.). $0.80 for a doughnut and $1.01 for a small, or $1.14 for a medium cup of hot beverage. Beat that! Not to forget, the lineup at the drive-thru can be rather crazy in the morning and lunch hour. The lineup is so long that it often results in congested traffic on the main street! I don’t understand why drivers don’t just park their cars and walk into the store instead. Wouldn’t it be quicker than waiting in line?

Recently, Tim Hortons is working towards joining forces with Cold Stone Creamery (U.S.-based), to create up to 100 co-branded stores at various locations in the United States (Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island). The idea is to offer some cold treats (ice-cream, smoothie, shakes) at Tim Hortons to attract more customers in the evenings as well; since it is busy mainly in the morning and lunch hour. On the other hand, Cold Stone Creamery which has a steady business in the late afternoon and evening, will be able to draw in a larger crowd during the day by serving Tim’s products (coffee, doughnuts, sandwiches and soups etc.). Apparently, this is not a brand new idea. More than a decade ago, co-branding agreement was established between Dunkin’ Donut (world’s largest coffee and doughnut chain) and Baskin-Robbins in the United States.

The doughnut shelf at Tim Hortons. Timbits (on the bottom shelf), Tim’s signature doughnut holes.

Freshly baked muffins, bagels, danishes, croissants, cookies etc.

The “Roll Up The Rim To Win” contest started since 1986. It usually runs during the late winter months, into early spring. Cups for hot beverages (medium, large, and extra large) have special rims that contain messages printed on the inside. When rolled up, messages indicate if someone is a winner or not. 35 Toyota Venza, 100 $10,000 cash prizes, 1,000 Toshiba laptops, 25,000 $100 Tim Card, and over 31 million food prizes are among the prizes to be won this year!! With 1:9 odds of winning, many has at least won some food prizes. The contest runs while cup supplies last.

Oops… try again :(

I find the marketing strategy of Tim Hortons is amusing. In order to sustain a steady flow of customers, special treats are offered during special occasions, for a limited period. In the early summer last year (in conjuction with strawberry picking season), Strawberry Blossom doughnut was offered.

Strawberry Blossom doughnut. Hard candy sprinkles with strawberry jam in the middle.

Candy Cane doughnut during Christmas season. Chocolate doughnut with colourful hard candy sprinkles.

My favourite Boston Cream doughnut. It’s filled with custard and topped with chocolate glaze. *Highly recommended*

The new Cherry Chocolate Bloom doughnut. Chocolate and cherry sprinkles with delightful cherry jam in the middle.

Doughnuts in a box (clockwise, from top left): Sour Cream Glazed, Vanilla Dip, Cherry Chocolate Bloom, Boston Cream, Blueberry Fritter, and Honey Cruller.

Trail mix cookie was offered with a cup of hot green tea for $1.99.

The newly introduced Whole Grain Rasberry muffin.

Pumpkin Spice muffin was offered in the fall of 2008.

Cheese tea biscuit with Pumpkin Spice doughnut and Pumpkin Spice tea.

Maple Pecan danish.

Hot breakfast sandwich (on Tim’s Homestyle Biscuit) with egg, sausage, and cheese.

Breakfast bagel, B.E.L.T. (bacon/sausage, egg, lettuce, and tomatoes). Yumm…

A bowl of chili with garlic toast.

Creamy Field Mushroom soup (contains portobello, white, and shiitake mushrooms) with tea biscuit.

Freshly baked crisp and flaky croissant with butter.